Debbie Leung started her martial arts practice in 1978 with Shito-ryu karate. In 1981, training began in Northern Shaolin kung-fu in Olympia, WA, where she learned about herself and nature as well as the art. Its traditional foundation carried over to advanced Taiji and qigong training in 1994 with Master Wen Mei Yu, who she continues to see for corrections and training in Liangong, qigong, and Wu Style Taijiquan. Debbie now uses these Chinese movement arts to help people through their health issues, especially as they age.

Master Yu has devoted her life to the study, practice, and teaching of qigong and Taijiquan since 1953. She studied directly with lineage holders and style creators in Shanghai, and has received many awards in both China and the U.S. She now lives and teaches in the Los Angeles area.

From 1979-1994, Debbie taught self-defense classes to women and teens in Olympia and beyond. She is the author of SELF-DEFENSE: The Womanly Art of Self-Care, Intuition, and Choice (R&M Press, 1991) and has started teaching self-defense again.

Other Interests

The physical and mental challenges of competitive figure skating for over 10 years have added new dimensions that enhance and reinforce Debbie's martial arts foundation.

Debbie is also a writer and editor, editing the quarterly newsletter of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA) since 2000. She has a food garden that is too large for her own good and is pursuing photography more seriously.

She can be contacted by clicking below: